Colorado-Medical-Marijuana-Blog

When approaching the subject of marijuana clones, one obvious factor in your endeavor is what strain of marijuana you intend to grow from a clone. A marijuana clone (like any other ‘clone’ which is an identical copy from a source –or in this case a ‘mother’ plant’) is a cutting from a marijuana plant used to expand a nursery without needing to grow a new plant from seed. (1)“Cloning is a way of propagating plants through asexual reproduction of the plant by cutting and rooting a healthy shoot. This creates clones. It is also known as ‘taking a cutting’.“

It may seem complicated, but there’s no need to muddy the issue just by adding the word ‘clone’. You’re still dealing with the marijuana plant itself and subject to all the natural ways it grows and also the many different types or strains of the marijuana plant. It still breaks down to an Indica, a Sativa, (also the lesser known ‘cannabis ruderalis’ which refers to landrace strains or those that grow in the wild) or a hybrid of/between the two. (2)“Cannabis strains are either pure or hybrid varieties of Cannabis, typically of C. sativa and C. indica Ruteralis. Varieties are developed to intensify specific characteristics of the plant, or to differentiate the strain for the purposes of marketing it more effectively as a drug. Variety names are typically chosen by their growers, and often reflect properties of the plant such as taste, color, smell, or the origin of the variety” Hybrids bridge the gap between Sativa and Indica and allow for taking advantage of desirable qualities from both ends of the spectrum. (3)“In addition to pure indica, sativa, and ruderalis varieties, hybrid varieties with varying ratios of these three types are common. For example, the White Widow hybrid containing about 60% indica and 40% sativa ancestry. These hybrid varieties exhibit traits from both parental types.”

As is the case when selecting a strain to consume, desired effect is likely the primary influence in the selection of a specific strain. There are also some strains available ONLY as clones, fittingly referred to as ‘clone-only’ strains. However, these ‘clone-only’ stains can be particularly hard to get a hold of, especially in states with less lenient laws on marijuana. (4)“If you don’t live in a medical marijuana or legalized marijuana state like California, Colorado, Oregon, and Washington, and you’ve heard of clone-only marijuana strains, it’s a little frustrating because usually you can’t get those clones unless you travel to those states and qualify as a permitted clone buyer under the state’s marijuana regulations.” Even if you can find a source for purchasing a clone-only strain -depending on the rarity and popularity of a certain strain- it may well cost a pretty penny to bring it in to your nursery.(5) “A single, legit commercial clone of a top-shelf, clone-only strain like Girl Scout Cookies or Cherry Pie can sell for as much as $140. But ultra-elite cuts shared in the top ranks of marijuana breeders and clone developers can sell for thousands, or even tens of thousands of dollars each! Why so expensive? Unlike cannabis seeds, every clone from a premium marijuana plant is guaranteed to be a female cut from a unique motherplant.“

And as with any purchase, it’s very much buyer beware. Unless you’re dealing with an established shop or dispensary (many shops and dispensaries are now offering cuttings/clones as a service to their patrons… ask your budtender!), not only the question of quality and price must be considered... but also (unfortunately) the question of legitimacy. Beyond a visual checklist (several resources can be found online to guide you through the clone buying process like www.marijuanaclonesforsale.com) to double check that you’re purchasing a healthy plant, you’re at the mercy of the seller with regard to whether the strain you desire is truly represented by the little potted cutting you just bought. (6)“When you are looking for clones for sale in Colorado, California, or Michigan, there is no way to know for sure if the clone the person is selling you is really the strain they claim. Unless you are dealing with someone that is deperate for money people are usually honest about what strain they are selling”

In the wake of Amendment 64 passing in Colorado, marijuana laws are being scrutinized with a more critical eye. What worked to an extent for medical marijuana dispensaries in Colorado in the past will simply not suffice as new businesses begin to take shape on the horizon. Recreational marijuana dispensaries will need to have a new set of regulations to operate by and the Department of Revenue’s Medical Marijuana Enforcement Division (MMED) is settling down to the task. MMED spokesperson Julie Postlethwait stated that the division is expecting to hold three public forums to discuss new rules, with the first coming January 11th. Current regulations for Colorado medical marijuana are not always clear, as evidenced by several court cases recently where dispensary owners were charged with growing more plants than the state allows. With a fluctuating client base and the state falling months behind on processing paperwork, dispensary owners have found it difficult to stay in compliance at all times. Spokespeople for the new marijuana initiative are hopeful that the state will be able to work out the kinks by the time the law takes effect in 2014.

Throughout the next several blogs, readers will be informed on several different strains of marijuana available at many medical marijuana dispensaries as well as what the different strains are used for.

Purple Kush is a Grade A Indica strain with an earthy taste and fruity smell. Some consider it to have a rather skunky smell. However, it has a smooth taste and is very potent. Purple Kush is mainly used for insomnia, pain relief, depression, anxiety and nausea. Negative effects can include making the user easily tired as well as producing a very ‘stony’ high.

Cinderella 99 (C99) is a Grade A Sativa strain with a rather fruity taste and smell, reminiscent of lemon haze. The flavor is very lemony and the smoke is considered clean and smooth. Cinderella 99 is extremely potent, providing an instant high. Cinderella 99 is used mainly for daytime use, stress and depression.

Bedrock is a Grade C+ Hybrid (Sativa dominant) strain with dark undertones. It has a fruity smell and taste with what seems to be almost a pinch of mocha. Bedrock is used mainly for stress, mild depression and anxiety. Negative effects are minimal, as this strain is quite mild.

The function of using middle men to perform transactions between two individuals or operations is common practice. However, when it comes to medical marijuana sales in Colorado, their function has been anything but clear up to this point. Recently, attorney Sean McAllister sought to get more clarification of the rules on behalf of his clients by petitioning MMED Direction Laura Harris. Harris’ response to McAllister’s request finally shed some light on what has been a very grey area by informing McAllister that Colorado state law dictates only persons who have a direct interest, i.e., owners of medical marijuana dispensaries with a license to buy or sell medical marijuana in Colorado are allowed to make transactions involving the drug. Those who do not fit this criteria are not allowed to perform transactions of any kind nor receive commissions for doing so.

As the Colorado medical marijuana debate gains strength, some are turning to research performed in other areas to back their opinion. A study performed in New Zealand posted results recently that showed people who became dependent on marijuana before the age of 18 showed an average IQ decline of eight points by the age of 38. One thousand people were involved in the study, which tested participants at the age of 13, before any significant use and again at the age of 38. The study indicated that those who became dependent on marijuana by the age of 18 showed a decline in IQ, whereas those who became dependent later in their adult life did not show as much decline. It is theorized that the drug has a much greater effect on the brain that is still in the growth stage. The study also showed that quitting the drug did not correct the problem. One researcher stated that the main lesson he sees in this is that for health reasons, it is better to avoid the drug entirely.

As Colorado medical marijuana issues pick up speed, it is no surprise to witness a growing interest in making the drug itself legal. Amendment 64 is an initiative seeking to legalize limited amounts of the drug for adults. The Amendment has recently been endorsed by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) who are expressing a concern over what they consider to be a lopsided number of arrests of African-Americans for marijuana possession in the state. The NAACP feels that by ending the prohibition of marijuana in the state for adult use, the mass incarceration against colored people may change. However, FBI records indicate that in 2010, African-Americans accounted for only 9% of all arrests for marijuana possession and only 22% of arrests for marijuana sales or cultivation. Adams County District Attorney Don Quick opposes the initiative, stating that legalizing the substance is not the answer. Quick feels making the drug more available to the community will result in a trickle-down effect to kids and result in lower graduation rates and more discipline problems.

The Colorado medical marijuana industry has experienced such a boom during the last few years that many dispensaries, patients and caregivers are finding themselves with a surplus of marijuana. This surplus has admittedly been a problem according to Colorado Drug Enforcement officials. Maintaining a handle on this surplus can prove to be a daunting task. Much of this surplus – in fact, most of it, is never reported and a great deal of it is now finding its way out of Colorado and into other states as the sources of this surplus seek to gain a profit from it. Law officials are finding themselves overwhelmed with arrests that result in illegal marijuana and sometimes other illegal drugs and weapons as well. While law officials are hard pressed to keep a handhold on an industry they believe is running rampant, industry supporters still maintain the validity, claiming medical marijuana to be one of the most highly regulated industries in the state.

With medical marijuana in Colorado being made legal, many have been able to find relief from various maladies such as cancer, HIV, MS and so on. There is, however, another more ‘seedy’ side to the business that has recently begun to show itself more prominently. As with anything, moderation generally tends to be the key, but there will always be those few who take things to the extreme. A recently example is an 87-year-old man from Denver who was arrested for growing more than 400 marijuana plants in his backyard. The state allows medical marijuana patients or their caregivers to have six plans for medical use. The Denver man was charged for a number of felonies, including possession with intent to distribute. Charges against the man also allege the Denver man possessed tools and materials indicative of distribution. With the legality of medical marijuana constantly changing and growing, the state can only expect to see more cases like this come out of the woodwork.

On July 1st of this year, Colorado lifted its two-year moratorium on new dispensaries, allowing for new dispensaries to come into the Colorado market. This move is going to be highly beneficial to the financial end as it will offer new opportunities for businesses in the medical marijuana industry. For smaller business, this may prove to be a fatal blow as the competition may force them out of the market. Many still believe this move will ultimately benefit the industry as a whole, however. Still, another issue threatens to damage the medical marijuana business. American Express has already removed itself from the medical marijuana business and now shop owners are dealing with the fact that both Visa and MasterCard have removed themselves as well. With all of these major credit card companies out of the picture, dispensaries are forced to handle transactions in cash, which they believe is opening them up to more potential break-ins and robberies. Even with the moratorium lifted, many believe this move will limit the industry’s growth.

As Colorado joined other states in 2011 by making medical marijuana legal, it experienced an influx of registered patients in the first year of enthusiastic cardholder hopefuls. This influx of patients brought the registry total to a record high the first year in June 2011 of 128,698, but this influx was not to last. After June, totals began to decline as new regulations were introduced, causing many registered patients not to renew their cards and causing others not to apply. By November of last year, the total had dropped to 80,000, as many patients decided to hold off renewing their cards until January 2012 when the price for registering was to drop. Although the state did experience that drop last year, levels are slowing beginning to climb again. The number of registered patients had reached 98,910 by May of 2012 and though rising at a slow, continuous rate, it is expected to level off soon. State officials are not too concerned about the fluctuation, saying that this is expected in any new industry.